Archive for the ‘star wars’ tag

There may be certain movies that you love from your childhood… “The Goonies”, “Mary Poppins”, “Bednobs and Broomsticks”, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”, “Harry Potter” or even ”Star Wars”. These movies carry a special place in your heart. You may have acted out scenes as a child with your friends. Now you are a parent with children of your own. My husband and I have discovered that so many years later you can create new memories of old favorites.

Locally, we have an old theater that plays old movies a couple of times a month. We have started to take our boys to experience these movies as we did on the big screen. Although, instead of finding myself engrossed in the movie, I am engrossed in my children. What are their reactions during some of my favorite parts? Do they like the same character that I may have hooked on to as a child?

Then there is the discussion after the movie. It is so much fun to hear them describe the movie and talk to you about your favorite parts. Some movies are even more fun because they might have toys that go along with the movie. My husband is a huge Star Wars fan, because of this he has many of his old toys packed away in our home. Watching the movies led to pulling out the old toys and sharing a part of his childhood. It was fun for the boys to see how toys used to be made.

Our Christmas was filled with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for my youngest son. Never did I think my knowledge of the turtles names and their catch phrase “Cowabunga” would ever enter my life again. Plus, my kids truly thought I was cool because I knew so much about the turtles.

We have two trees that we decorate this time of year. The first tree we put up is our family tree. It has ornaments from both my husband and my childhood, others reminding us of vacation spots and special things we like to do, and ones the boys have received each year. I like to say that it portrays our family history. The memories that this tree exudes are overwhelming and some make us laugh, while others bring tears to our eyes. Every year as our family unpacks the ornaments we relive those memories.

Then, we have our other tree – the Star Wars tree. Lets make it clear that this is entirely his tree. This tree started when my husband and I were only married a couple of years. When we were dating I would buy him Star Wars ornaments every year for Christmas. We had quite a few that graced the family tree our first year of marriage. That is where he got the idea for this tree. It started out with a few Star Wars ornaments and more blue bulbs surrounding them. Years later, there are few, if any, blue bulbs, and all different kinds of ornaments. A Yoda tree topper graces the top.

I used to not really care for this tree. I would think. ‘how tacky is that?’ Over the years I have watched the joy that my husband has as he unpacks each ornament and has his own memories of whom he received it from or what story surrounds it. Now, with two little boys, it becomes even more special. They quiz each other on what the ship or character is, can’t wait to press the buttons to hear what some might say, and talk about the history of the tree. All three of them exude such pride after they have finished decorating is amazing. I share that pride; for now we have not one, but TWO trees that grace our home each year.

Sometimes, a little bit of break in tradition can lead to wonderful things. How can you mix it up a little this year?